DUAFC celebrate 130 years since first kick-off in Ireland

29 November 2013 02:30 PM

THE first official football game in Ireland took place 130 years ago yesterday in College Park, Dublin between Dublin University Association Football Club (Trinity College) and Dublin Association Football Club.

According to the Irish Times match report it ended with "Dublin (Association) winning a pleasant game by four goals to love". The goals in that historic match were scored by TW Butler (2), HJ Hamilton and C Clegg.

Not long after that match, the winning team disbanded, reforming at a later date as Leinster Nomads. On the other hand, Dublin University AFC went on to become a founding member club of the Leinster Senior League in 1892 and remains an active football club in the LSL.

It has the distinction of being the oldest active football club still in existence in Ireland and College Park remains one of the best pitches in the land, a pleasure for those lucky enough to play there.

Notable past players of the club include the former rugby international Hugo McNeill and Tommy Drumm, Dublin's All-Ireland winning captain in 1983 and Pat Finucane, the slain Belfast solicitor.

The Students continue to play home matches at College Park; their next home game is at 11am this Sunday against St Mochtas FC in the 3rd Round of the FAI Intermediate Cup.

The club will mark the occasion to formally launch their new sponsorship deal with Datapac, one of Ireland's largest and most successful ICT solutions and services providers.